Sunday, April 12, 2015

1876 was an extraordinary year in the Black Hills. Discovery of mineral treasure opened the door to a deluge of exploration, immigration, and settlement that would change the landscape forever. Deadwood, at first just a series of mining camps downstream from the mother lode, soon became the commercial and social hub of the Black Hills’ universe.

Not every mining endeavor would fulfill its expectations. This was the case for a small party of gold prospectors led by John Brennan. After months of fruitless toil high in Palmer Gulch, beneath the shadow of Harney Peak, still in the grip of a Dakota winter, a more expansive plan developed. Brennan recognized the need for a central location, a town that would connect thriving Deadwood and the surrounding mining and timber camps with each other and with other cities. Brennan envisioned a “new Denver”- a “gateway” in the foothills, close to clean water and good grass and fertile ground, easily accessible by road and rail. A town could be developed and commerce established.

In February of 1876 Brennan and his party descended to a spot in the foothills, where they pitched camp alongside Rapid Creek, in the shelter of a prominent rocky cliff. The next day another small party joined them. Using Brennan’s compass, Sam Scott, a seasoned land surveyor, surveyed a townsite. William Martin named it Rapid City, “Rapid” for the waterway, and “City”, in anticipation of its importance to the Black Hills and its prospect for prosperity, and a “city” was born.

Here there was no mining, no particular mineral treasure. It was all about “location.” The good grass, ideal for grazing livestock and resting oxen, would earn the town the nickname “Hay Camp”. The level route through Centennial Valley made for easy access to Deadwood and points north. Points east and south were similarly convenient. The rocky cliff became the signpost and Rapid City would indeed become the Gateway to the Black Hills.

Commerce began to flow between the Hills towns. John Brennan became Rapid City’s first mayor, and started one of the first hotels. Sam Scott jumped right into the real estate business. William (Billy) Nuttall, another of the founders, and a young man with a taste for the wilder side of life, headed for Deadwood, where he applied his entrepreneurial skills to the theater business, starting by buying the Bella Union theater and saloon.

Deadwood merchants like grocerymen Hermann and Treber, and Jacob Goldberg, and dealers in liquors and cigars, Harris Franklin and Ben Baer, set up satellite wholesale houses for their popular merchandise in Rapid City. Although Brennan and Scott set down roots, Tom Ferguson, like most of Rapid City’s original founders, left. Some headed for Deadwood, still hoping to find their bonanza in the northern Hills.

Fans and followers of Nina McIntire describe the ease with which she performs on the piano as 'child's play' could often be taken literally. This talented artist and performer, born and raised in St. Petersburg was playing her first songs on the piano almost before she could walk. This extraordinary musical talent certainly did not go unnoticed, when, at the tender age of four she took up the violin, the instrument which accompanied her during her professional musical studies in Moscow and marked the beginning of a seemingly endless successful musical career.

At the age of 24 she completed her degree in Master of the Fine Arts at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and soon became an accomplished and extremely sought-after violin soloist, giving concerts world-wide, particularly in Japan, Mexico and many parts of Europe. As a member of several prestigious chamber music ensembles she has also made her mark in the music industry.

Her love for the piano has never waned and she has recently been very active on the international music scene as a pianist, presenting her latest project 'Ivory Fantasy'- a fascinating combination of classical music and her own compositions arranged in a revolutionary modern style, integrating a variety of musical genres such as ragtime, jazz, pop and blues. The popularity of this project is already reflected in the extremely successful concerts in Finland, Russia, Germany and the United States.

McIntire has always placed great importance on the effort to reach a wide audience and she hopes that her innovative and original compositions, together with her passion in presentation and joy of performing will spark off an ever-growing enthusiasm for this type of music.

The combination of classical and modern music reveals a unique quality of freshness which gives it a very appealing character - her concerts are increasingly attracting people of the younger generation. The 'ivory enchantress' has succeeded in removing the divide between the traditional, classical genre and modern, popular music, fascinating and inspiring young and old alike.

Nina Playing Benefit Concert for Lead SD Opera House Renovation January 24, 2014

2014 Video Releases from Nina

DickD Favorite

The Holiday Season is practically here! A music CD is always a great gift.

My "New Beginnings" CD with its green-red look might be a very nice present for your friends and loved ones. It is available now to purchase on a limited-time holiday sale at a significantly reduced price at the CD Baby distributor. The physical CD now costs less than the album download.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

As a fellow Deadwood High School 1959 classmate and friend of Marlin and Marge Lindstrom Janas, it is with great pleasure and pride that I submit this article about these two very successful DHS alumni and, in particular, the recent honor bestowed upon Marlin.
Marlin Janas, Deadwood High School Class of 1959, was inducted into the Lead-Deadwood High School Hall of Fame in a special ceremony in Lead, Saturday, January 10, 2015.
Being influenced by the right people at the right time and lots of hard work launched Marlin on a career path which included setting athletic records in high school to a full paid athletic scholarship to Adams State College in Colorado. Son Bill Janas attending his father’s induction ceremony addressed the committee by stating “While Marlin was in College, he continued to excel in athletics and was further challenged by the advice of a well-respected Deadwood High School Coach, Glen Burgess who told him 'Marlin, you stick with it and finish college. You will love being a teacher and coach . . . and if you love what you do, you will never dread going to work a day in your life.' He found Coach Burgess’ words to be true, and that advice led to the most exciting and rewarding life’s work that he could ever have hoped for."

Meeting during their Freshman year at DHS, teamwork became an early part of Marlin and Margie’s lives. Seeing in him his ability to reach his full potential, Margie, an honor student, became one of Marlin’s biggest supporters and encouragers. While enrolled in the same college, they married and had two children. Balancing parenthood and rigorous college studies gives a small glimpse at their tenuous strength and commitment. They both graduated college in four years with Margie going on to a full 33-year teaching career. Marlin continued to pursue his career in teaching, coaching and school administration. Their sports loving family produced a son and three grandsons who all have excelled in numerous sports. The achievements of both Marlin and Margie Janas are testimony to the excellent foundation for future success received at Deadwood High School.
Marlin’s stellar record setting athletic career includes 5 DHS records which were still standing when Deadwood merged with the Lead Schools in 1972. In college he set more track records, one record not broken for another 11 years. He coached track at Del Norte, Colorado for 14 years with his team being champions 9 of those years and runner up the other 5 years. Teaching, coaching, and setting athletic records were but a small portion of the many accomplishments of Marlin Janas. He eventually went into school administration and spent many years as a principal and then as Superintendent of Schools in Del Norte, Colorado.
Eighteen years after retirement he was called back to Del Norte to view a bronze plaque with his picture upon it installed at the entrance of the track and football stadium with the following inscription:
“In honor of Marlin Janas for over 40 years of service to the Del Norte School District as teacher, principal, coach, superintendent of schools, and school board member. The lessons he taught about generosity, passion, high expectations and hard work have inspired numerous Del Norte students throughout the years to recognize their potential and ultimately realize it.”
This was the first time Del Norte had given an honor like this. Marlin adamantly believes the great life he has enjoyed was given to him by God.

The super-achieving Janas’ story does not end here. It is of significance I mention that in 1987 Margie was chosen Teacher of the Year for the San Luis Valley Schools in Colorado which is comprised of 13 schools. Thereafter, she received honorable mention for the entire state of Colorado for Teacher of the Year.

Both Margie and Marlin are quick to acknowledge they are privileged to have had such excellent administrators, faculty, coaches, and staff at Deadwood High School.

Lead SD, January 10, 2015

Marlin Janas, Deadwood High School Class of 1959

Marlin Janas

DHS Class of 1959

Marlin held four school records in both high and low hurdles, the mile relay and the 880 relay while attending DHS.

1957 - Marlin set two Black Hills Conference records in high and low hurdles.

1959 - He set school record scoring 36 points in his final home game as a senior at DHS.

Marlin attended Adams State College, Alamosa, CO on a four-year scholarship for basketball and track.

1961 - He set an ASC school record in the high hurdles with a time of 14.6seconds, which was not broken for eleven years.

1962 - Marlin placed fourth in high hurdles at the National Small College Regionals in Emporia, KS.

Marlin was a teacher and coach at Del Norte, CO. He coached track for 14 years. Marlin's track teams were Conference Champions nine of those years, and runners-up the other five years. His teams placed third three times and fourth twice at the State Track Meet.

Marlin was a junior high principal for 16 years at Del Norte, CO and spent the last nine years of his career as Superintendent.

2012 - After eighteen years of retirement, a stone marker featuring a bronze plaque was constructed in Marlin's honor at the entrance of the Del Norte track and football stadium for his 40 years of service to the Del Norte School District.